Adjustable rail-chair.



A. GfLIEBMANN.

ADJUSTABLE RAIL CHAIR. APPLICATION mum JULY 8, 1913.

1,126,514, Pgtented Jan. 26, 1915.

THE NORRIS PETERS CQ. PHOTC-LITHOU WASHINUIUN, U U.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE.

AUGUST Gr. LIEBMANN, OF BUTTE, MONTANA, ASSIGNOR TO VIGNOLES RAIL CHAIR COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

ADJUSTABLE RAIL-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

Application filed July 8, 1913. Serial No. 777,954.

- To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUST G. LIEBMANN, citizen of the United States, residing at Butte, in the county of Silverbow and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Rail-Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to railway track appliances and particularly to rail chalrs, and means for holding the rail in place therein and adjusting the rail.

The primary object of the invention is to do away with the necessity of holding the rails to ties by means of spikes engaging the base-flanges of the rails and to provide in place thereof a rail-chair having primary fastenings whereby it is attached to the tie and secondary rail-engaging means for holding the rails in all necessary positions of adjustment.

Where the rails are spiked direct to the ties, the thrust incident to the passage of a train tends, constantly, to loosen or with draw the spikes. The vertical thrust of the rolling stock forces the tie plate into the tie, crushing and breaking the fibers of the same. The lateral thrust tends to shear the spikes and enlarge the spike holes thus loosening the spikes, and the tipping thrust which is particularly great on curves tends to tip the rails, one side edge of the base flange being placed in compression and the other side edge in tension, thus withdrawing the inside spikes and bending over the outside spikes. As a consequence, there is constant necessity of redriving and renewing spikes and ties. The constant redriving of the spikes tends very quickly to cause deterioration in the ties so that the use of atie is comparatively limited. l/Vhere spikes are used, an elevation of the section of a track under the action of frost causes a withdrawal of the spikes in contact with the base flange of the rail at the under heaved points of said rail base will shear if the spikes grip too firmly.

A further object of my invention is therefore, to provide means whereby the rail may be shimmed so as'to permit vertical adjustment of the rail, to suit cases where the tie is sunk or one tie is in regular position when nearby ties are heaved above smooth surface, and a further object is to provide means whereby the rail may be laterally adjusted so that the maintained.

A further object is to provide a rail chair which will resist the various thrusts heretofore referred to and to provide oppositely disposed abutments between which the rail is seated, these abutments being of such form as to permit the use of rail clamping wedges between the abutments and rail braces, thereby allowing the necessary adustability and eliminating wear.

A further object is to so form the rail braces, the wedges and the abutments that the braces may be elevated with the rail and locked in elevated position, to thus accommodate the vertical adjustment of the rail. The wedge may also be locked in a vertically adjusted position with relation to the abutment, the wedges being interchangeable, gage may be maintained independent of shimming.

A further object is to provide a construction which is particularly adapted for use on mountain lines where a particularly substantial. track structure is necessary, and a still further object is the provision of a chair of the character described, the base portion of which may be readily formed from a plate of metal, thus permitting the chair to be economically made.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of a chair constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawing by the same reference characters.

Referring to these drawings, A designates the tie and B a standard rail. The rail may of course be of any desired type.

The improved chair comprises a bed-plate 2 having a width equal to thewidth of the tie and rests firmly on the upper face thereof. This bed-plate is held in position upon the tie, preferably by screw-spikes 3 of standard type, these screw-spikes forming the primary fastenings whereby the chair and the rail with the chair is held to the tie. The bed-plate 2 is formed from a plate gage of the track may be of metal so bent near its opposite ends as to provide oppositely disposed parallel abutments a. The inner web 5 of each of these abutments is nearly vertical while the outer web 6 is downwardly and outwardly inclined from the upper edge of the inner web, this downwardly and outwardly inclined portion 6 bracing the vertical portion 5 and rendering it particularly rigid. The abutments a do not extend parallel to the end-edges of the base-plate 2, in other words do not extend parallel to the rail B but are disposed at an angle to the end-edges of the base-plate 2 and therefore at an angle to the rail B, as illustrated clearly in Fig. 2. The inner faces of the web 5 of each abutment are formed with a series of vertical corrugations 7, these corrugations extending entirely along the inner face of each inner web.

The rail 13 is adapted to seat upon the upper face of the base-plate 2 between the abutments 4, the abutments being spaced apart such a distance that a space is left between the inner face of each web 5 and the adjacent longitudinal edge of the rail.

Disposed on each side of the web of the rail are the rail braces 8. These braces may be of any desired length and each of the rail braces has a base 9 preferably hav ing a width equal to the distance between the edge of the base flange and the web of the rail. The braces extend upwardly and inwardly and at their upper ends are each provided with a head 10 which bears against the under face of the head of the rail. Each of the rail braces 10 is longitudinally corrugated as at 11.

Disposed between each rail brace 8 and the corresponding abutment 1 is a wedging or looking member 12. The inner face of this locking member is inclined downward and outward relative to the web of the rail and is formed with a series of longitudinal corrugations designated 13 adapted to co-act and interlock with the corrugations 11 of the corresponding rail-brace 8.

The outer face of each locking member 12 tapers from one end toward the other so that the locking member is longitudinally wedge-shaped and the outer face of the locking member is formed with a series of vertical corrugations 14: adapted to coact and interlock with the corrugations of the corresponding abutment to a desired extent and further that the braces 8 together with the rail may be adjusted vertically with relation to the wedging members 12. Further it will be seen that the wedging members 12 may be set at any desired point along the length of the corresponding abutment 4:.

The operation of this form of the invention will be obvious from what has gone before. Under normal circumstances and where no shim is used, the rail rests flat upon the upper face of the bed plate be tween the abutments and the wedging members 12 are disposed in the position shown in Fig. 2. If it is desired to shift the rail in one direction or the other, the rail braces 8 are driven out. The wedging members 12 are then disengaged from the corrugations 1 1 of the abutments and one of the wedging members is longitudinally in one direction while-the other wedging member is shifted in the other direction. After the desired adjustment of the wedging members has been secured, the bracing members 8 are driven in between the wedging members 12 and the rail. \Vhere it is necessary to raise the rail, the bracing members 8 are driven out from their engagement with the wedges 12, and a shim of any suitable thickness inserted beneath the rail, after which the bracing members 8 are again put in position and again driven into engagement with the corrugations of the wedging members. The wedging members, may of course, be lifted so as to cause their longitudinal corrugations 13 to register or interlock with the corrugations 11 of the rail braces, but

if it is not desired that the wedging members shall be lifted, then the rail braces may be adjusted with relation to the wedging members so as to cause the corrugations on the braces and wedging members to interengage and thus secure a proper elevation of the bracing members 8 without raising the wedging members 12. By providing for an adjustment of the wedging member with relation to the bracing members 8, and also providing for a vertical adjustment of the wedging members relative to the abutments, shims of various thicknesses may be used. Further the interlocking engagement between the wedging members 12 and the abutments prevents any longitudinal shifting of said wedging members 12 and the interlocking engagement between the wedging members and the rail braces S prevents any lifting of the rail braces with relation to the wedging members, after the parts have been adjusted.

It will be observed from Fig. 3 that the inner faces of the upwardly extending webs of the abutments are not absolutely vertical but that these faces slightly overhang, thus any upward movement of the rail is resisted by the wedging action of the overhanging faces of the members 5 on the wedging members 12. This overhang of the inner faces of the abutments prevents a vertical upward movement of the wedging members, and vertical downward movement of the wedging members is prevented by their engagement with the corrugations upon the rail braces 8. It will be seen therefore that the wedging members are wedgeshaped longitudinally and vertically on their outer and inner faces, the outer and inner faces not being parallel and the outer face being only slightly inclined to the vertical, and that the inner face of each abutment is inclined longitudinally and also ver tically. The clamping action secured by the rail braces will be sufiicient to firmly hold the rail and the construction is such that the rail will be supported not only against direct lateral thrust but also against tipping thrust.

The improved form of rail chair is particularly adapted for mountain lines. In mountainous sections of the United States the railways are put to their greatest tasks and the rails are subjected to the greatest strain, inasmuch as the gradients and curvatures are excessive, and very large locomotives are used. In order to hold traffic with safety and expedite movements of trains a high standard of track construction must be adopted. A very substantial rail support must be had therefore, and the chair heretofore described is particularly adapted not only for use in mountainous countries on ascending and descending grades, but is also adapted for use on curves and tangents, or where the traffic is heavy. The chair is so constructed as to give a sufiicient bearing surface and will eliminate crushing of the tie fibers and the consequent deterioration of the tie.

In the oflicial report of the Block Signal and Train Control Board of the Interstate Commerce Commission, dated June 29, 1912, it is stated that under circumstances existing in a large proportion of railroads in this country the means of adjustment of the rail to the tie must be such as to admit of blocking up or shimming. This report further states that adequate means must be provided for shimming and for widening the gage and this means should not involve lost motion or change of adjustment.

It is pointed out that my improved rail chair conforms to all of the regulations referred to in this report, and furthermore it is pointed out that the rail is held in place by means which are easily adjusted by an ordinary trainman without the employment of special tools. Because of the fact that the base of my improved chair is of'the plate type and may be readily made it is therefore relatively inexpensive.

It will be seen that all the adjustments of the rail are made without the necessity of removing the primary fastenings 3, thus there is no necessity of constantly respiking the ties, which is the great cause of deterioration in ties today.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is 1. A rail-chair including a bed-plate and oppositely disposed parallel abutments, and laterally and vertically movable wedging members adapted to be disposed between the abutments and a rail, said wedging members and the abutments having interlocking engagement.

2. A rail-chair including a bedplate and oppositely disposed abutments, and movable wedging members co-acting with the abutments for holding a rail in diflerent posi tions of lateral and vertical adjustment with respect to the bed-plate, said wedging members and the abutments having interlocking faces.

3. A rail-chair including a bed-plate and oppositely disposed parallel abutments, and movable wedging members co-acting with the abutments for holding a rail in different positions of lateral and vertical adjustment with respect to the bed-plate, the contacting faces of the wedging members and abutments having each a vertical series of corrugations adapted to interlock with each other.

4. A rail-chair including a bed-plate and oppositely disposed parallel abutments, said abutments extending at an angle to the rail adapted to be supported upon the bed-plate, and wedging members adapted to be disposed between the abutments and the rail for adjusting said rail laterall and vertically with respect to-the bedplate, the wec g ing members and abutments having interlocking faces.

5. A rail-chair including a bed-plate having oppositely disposed abutments spaced from each other a distance greater than the width of a rail, said abutments being disposed at an angle to the rail adapted to be supported upon the bed-plate, the inner faces of the abutments being formed with a series of vertical corrugations, rail braces having downwardly and outwardly inclined outer faces, the outer faces of the rail braces being each formed with a series of longitudinally extending corrugations, and wedging members adapted each to be disposed between one of the abutments and the corresponding rail brace, the wedging members having each a longitudinally inclined face formed with vertical corrugations adapted to engage with the corrugations of the adjacent abutment, and a vertically inclined face having a series of horizontal corrugations adapted to engage with the corrugations of the adjacent rail brace.

6. A rail-chair including a bed-plate having oppositely disposed upstanding parallel abutments formed by bending the plate upward at opposite points and then downward and outward, the bed-plate having provision for the passage of fastening devices, the vertical inner faces of the abutments being vertically corrugated, rail braces adapted to engage on each side of a rail and having downwardly and outwardly inclined outer faces, said outer faces being longitudinally corrugated, and wedging members adapted to be disposed between the rail braces and the inner faces of the abutments, each wec ging member having a longitudinally inclined outer face formed with vertical corrugations adapted to interlock with the vertical corrugations of the corresponding abutment, the inner face of each wedging member being downwardly and outwardly inclined and formed with longitudinal corrugations adapted to engage with the corrugations of the corresponding rail brace.

7. A rail chair comprising a bed-plate having upstanding oppositely disposed abutments spaced from each other a distance greater than the width of a rail base, said abutments extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the rail adapted to be supported between the abutments, the inner face of each of the abutments extending upward and inward, and being formed with vertical corrugations, oppositely disposed rail braces adapted to engage on each side of a rail and having downwardly and outwardly inclined outer faces longitudinally corrugated, and wedging members disposed between the abutments and the rail braces, each wedging member having its inner face downwardly and outwardly inclined and longitudinally corrugated to engage with the corresponding rail brace and having its outer face tapered from one end to the other and downwardly inclined to engage with the inner face of the corresponding abutment.

8. A rail chair comprising a bed-plate having upstanding oppositely disposed abutments spaced from each other a distance greater than the width of a rail base, said abutments extending at an angle to the longitndinal axis of the rail adapted to be supported between the abutments, the inner face of each of said abutments extending upward and inward, oppositely disposed rail braces adapted to engage one on each side of a rail and having downwardly and outwardly inclined outer faces longitudinally corrugated, and wedging members disposed between the abutments and the rail braces, each wedging member having its inner face downwardly and outwardly inclined and longitudinally corrugated to engage with the cor responding rail brace and having its outer face tapered from one end to the other and downwardly inclined and formed with vertical corrugations interlocking with the corrugations on the inner face of the corresponding abutment.

9. The combination of a rail and tie, of a rail-chair comprising a bed-plate, means for securing the bed-plate to the tie, the bed plate being formed with upwardly extending folded portions forming parallel abutments, the inner faces of the abutments being spaced from each other a distance greater than the width of a rail base, the inner faces of the abutments being vertically corrugated and said abutments extending at an angle to the rail, oppositely disposed rail braces having downwardly and outwardly inclined longitudinally corrugated faces, and wedging members disposed between the rail braces and the abutments and having outer and inner faces corrugated to interlock with the corrugations of the rail bracesand abut-- ments, respectively.

10. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the width of the base of a rail to permit said rail to be adjusted both laterally and vertically with respect to the bedplate, rail braces adapted to engage the rail 011 opposite sides thereof, and laterally and vertically movable wedging members having interlocking engagement with the rail braces and abutments, for holding the rail in difierent positions of adjustment.

11. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the width of a rail base to permit a rail to be adjusted both laterally and vertically with respect to said bed-plate, the inner faces of the abutments being undercut, rail braces adapted to engage one on each side of the rail, and laterally and vertically movable wedges interposed between the abutments and rail braces and having interlocking engagement therewith.

12. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the width of a rail base to permit a rail to be adjusted both laterally and vertically with respect thereto, the inner faces of the abutments being undercut and provided with vertical corrugations, rail braces interposed between the abutments and provided with horizontal corrugations, and late ally and vertically adjustable wedging members having corrugated faces co-acting with the corrugated faces of the rail braces and abutments, for

holding the rail in different positions of adj ustment.

13. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments, spaced apart a distance greater than the base of a rail to permit a rail to be adjusted laterally and vertically with respect to the bed-plate, said abutments being disposed at an angle to the longitudinal edge of the rail supported on the bedplate and having their inner faces undercut, rail braces movable vertically with the rail, and wedging members having their outer faces cut to conform to the inner faces of the abutments and their inner faces contacting with the rail braces for holding the rail in different positions of adjustment.

14. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments spaced apart a distance greater than the width of a rail base to permit a rail to be adjusted both laterally and vertically with respect to the bedplate, rail braces disposed between the abutments, and laterally and vertically adjustable wedging members, each having a longitudinally inclined face for engagement with the adjacent abutment and a vertically inclined face for engagement with the adjacent rail brace.

15. The combination with a bed-plate having upstanding abutments spaced apart to form a seat, of a rail adjustable laterally and vertically with respect to said seat, rail braces engaging opposite sides of the rail, and laterally and vertically adjustable wedging members interposed between the abutnients and rail braces for holding the rail in different positions of adjustment.

16. The combination with a tie, of a bedplate having means for permanent attachment to the tie and provided with upstanding abutments defining an intermediate seat, a rail adjustable laterally and vertically with respect to the seat, said abutments being disposed parallel to each other but at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the rail and having their inner faces provided with vertical corrugations, rail braces engaging the rail on opposite sides thereof and provided with horizontal corrugations, and laterally and vertically movable wedges having corrugated faces interlocking with the corrugated faces of the rail braces and abutments.

17. A rail chair including a bed-plate having upstanding abutments disposed at acute angles to the short axis of the bedplate and spaced apart a distance greater than the width of a rail to permit said rail to be adjusted laterally and vertically with respect to the bed-plate, movable wedges having interlocking engagement with the abutments, and rail braces adapted to interlock with the movable wedges in different positions of lateral and vertical adjustment of the rail.

18. A rail chair including a bed-plate having an upstanding abutment, the inner face of which is disposed at an angle to the medial transverse axis of the bed-plate and provided with vertical corrugations, a rail brace adapted to engage the fishing space of a rail and having its outer face inclined downwardly and outwardly and provided with transverse corrugations, and a laterally and vertically movable wedge interposed between the abutments and rail brace and provided with corrugations interlocking with the corrugations on said abutment and brace.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST G. LIEBMANN. [n.s]

Witnesses WILLIAM I. LIPPINcOT'r, WM. NUss.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G. 

